Jan Winter

Why do we accept the bully as the boss? Is biggest always best? And does a bully ever consider other people – except in terms of themself?

Everyone talks differently. And everyone who does, wants to be understood. But in the loud chatter created by social media and strident news, it is easy to believe that it is only the person who shouts the loudest who stands a chance of being heard. What we know of course, is that in a room full of loud voices, nobody can be heard. Meaningful dialogue gets lost and feelings can get hurt.

Anya and the Light Above the Ocean is a fast moving and, at times, bewildering rollercoaster of a tale. Part fantasy, part science fiction, it’s a modern adventure that raises many issues around trust, truth and power.

Ben and Finn have lived in North Dublin all their lives, gone to the same schools,
had the same friends and shared the same expectations. But the modern world being as unstable as it is, those lives are suddenly turned upside down when their parents lose their jobs, and the family has to up sticks and move.

In this engaging and inspirational story, a young teenage girl living in rural India defies the expectations of caste and custom to resist being sold into a sex trafficking ring. Heera’s family see no options. They are shunned by the village, they are in debt to criminals who are protected by the authorities, and this has always been the fate of girls from their class. Until the day Heera discovers Kung Fu. Through the mental and physical discipline of martial art, Heera learns to value herself physically and spiritually and brings about lasting change in her community.

Vivi Conway is on a quest. She must leave the magical land of Wales and move with her two mams to crowded, noisy London where she will face new friends, new foes and new adventures. But Vivi is not like other girls her age. She shares her soul with the Lady of the Lake, can harness the power of water and can wield Excalibur – the sword of legend. And also, she is neurodivergent, which in the past has caused her more upset with some people than fighting monsters ever will.

Timo Parvela is a teacher and a best-selling author in Finland where many of his books have been adapted for both the big and the small screen. The main characters in Bicycling To The Moon have their own TV show and the author does regular school tours where their adventures are read and discussed.

You know you’re in safe hands when Oliver Jeffers tells a story. It’s not just because he’s an international award winner. It’s because Jeffers only tells a story if he has something important to say. And most often, just one point to make. Clearly. Simply. With very spare prose, delivered in his delightful trademark handwriting. And with deceptively uncomplicated images. But in What We’ll Build, the message runs deep.

When I was a child we didn’t ‘push the envelope’ or ‘test boundaries’, but sometimes we were naughty. And when we were, we were usually chastised for challenging authority. Children’s books reflected this view with a variety of cautionary tales, but luckily nowadays storytelling is not so dark.

Everything in Izzy’s world is just as it should be. She lives in a lighthouse with no sharp corners on a perfect island with her friend, Frank the seagull. They play special games in all weathers on ‘bluesky-sunny days’ and ‘gray-storm-rainy days’. And there are days where they do nothing but ‘count sand’. Her world is balanced, beautiful and safe. But one day, inexplicably, she has to move away. And instead of the glorious seascapes and dramatic night skies, Izzy finds herself in a big busy city with rules, regulations and other people.